Cigar Community

Episode 13: Community

I am pleased to announce the launch of simplystogies.com! I’d like to thank all the hard work put it in by the team (Timothy Allen, Mike Brieg, Wonho Frank Lee, Troy Kelso, and Stephanie Hattan) in order to get the website off the ground!!! Please, check out simplystogies.com and let us know what you think…

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Episode 12: Cubans: An Interview with an Expert

This episode, I welcome Joe from SimplyStogies.club. Joe has been smoking Cuban cigars for 20yrs and is an expert on the subject. I get his expert opinion on the moral and ethical issues of purchasing Cuban cigars, how to spot fakes, the implications of a free market Cuba, and much much more. This discussion, much…

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Update on CigarCon

CIGARCON by James Giehm A few weeks ago, Troy wrote an article about CigarCon 2020. For those who may not know, CigarCon was the planned consumer day at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA, formerly IPCPR) annual trade show. A few days ago, we learned that the PCA has now cancelled the planned consumer day (CigarCon)…

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Episode 11: Cuban Introduction

I return to my journey and how I came to know the famous Cuban cigar. The Cuban cigar has mystery, romanticism, and maybe a bit of a taboo air that surrounds it. Is the Cuban cigar hype? What issues surround the Cuban cigar for someone living in America? Can you easily get your hands on…

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CigarCon

CIGARCON by Troy Kelso As the IPCPR has made clear through its name change to PCA, the tobacco retailer and tobacco retail business is no longer it’s only, or even primary, focus.  The retailers led organization has decided to expand the scope of their presence to include industry regulation and legislative issues as well as…

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IPCPR Changes Their Name

WHAT’S IN A NAME? By Troy Kelso The IPCPR has made several announcements recently that have been the talk of the industry.  The first was their name change from “International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers” (IPCPR) to “Premium Cigar Association” (PCA).  The second announcement was the introduction of consumer day, or “CigarCon”, at the 2020…

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Episode 9: Sheepdog Humidors Bullet Torch & Padron 2000 Reviews

I give my impressions and review of Sheepdog Humidors Bullet Torch and of the Padron 2000 Natural. Before I dive into those reviews, I put out the call to those who would like to join the Simply Stogies team! I’m looking for writers interested in reviewing products and cigars, writing about the latest news around…

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Episode 8: B&Ms, Lounges, and Etiquette

James discusses his recent visits to several cigar lounges and B&Ms around his area, what to look for when choosing a B&M, and the importance of supporting your local B&M. He also discuss the do’s and don’ts when visiting a cigar lounge, and share some of his most embarrassing cigar lounge moments. If you have…

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Episode 7: An Interview with Vlad from Casdagli Cigars

I sit down with Global Ambassador for Casdagli Cigars, Vlada Stojanov. I join Vlad at The Clayton in downtown Chicago, where we discuss the name change from Bespoke to Casdagli, the Casdagli lines of cigars, what the future holds for Casdagli, and I pick the brain of a sommelier on how to develop your palate. It’s…

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Episode 6: Tabernacle Havana Seed Review

I interview a moderator for SimplyStogies.club and a cigar reviewer at Burn1.net, Mike. Mike walks us through his process of reviewing a cigar: from the pre-cut ritual, to the cut and light, to writing his review. Thank you to Mike for taking the time, on his birthday, to sit down and give us some insight…

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